Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Cowen has called for immediate political mobilisation to secure Ireland’s nitrates derogation.

It comes after the European Commission last week informed the Irish Government that, in addition to water quality improvements, Ireland must now demonstrate compliance with the EU’s habitats directive when granting farmers a derogation.

The MEP for the Midlands North-West said these new measures represent a fundamental shift in the criteria for approval and it pushes Ireland into a regulatory corner.

“The latest communication from the Commission complicates an already difficult situation. By tying future derogations to the habitats directive, we risk being boxed into a corner on scientific grounds we simply can’t win,” he said.

“We need time - three to four more years - to allow recent improvements to fully take effect and build a stronger scientific case. Give us the time. Give farmers the credit. And let’s secure this derogation the way it was always going to be secured, through political will.”

Criteria

Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon is due to submit Ireland’s updated plan later this month.

Cowen called on the Government to use its influence at European Council level to secure a political outcome that safeguards the economic viability of Ireland’s family farms and prevents sectoral fragmentation.

“That’s my message today to the Irish Government, our farming community and, indeed, their representative bodies. We cannot accept a framework that fragments the sector and undermines confidence. Now is the time to act politically,” he added.

“Let’s be clear, we’ve made real progress. EPA data confirms falling ammonia and nitrogen levels. Irish farmers have led that progress, backed by targeted Government funding, better practices and new technologies. But this battle was never going to be won on science alone.”

Read more

'Stagnant funding' pot a non-runner for next CAP - Cowen

Farm Tech Talk: easy-calving sucklers, derogation shock and Tullamore Farm